Scabbia`s family includes two brothers and a sister, who were all raised listening to music. Though her siblings` musical preference differed from her own, her first influences were from bands such as Genesis, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, and traditional Italian music. As a child, Scabbia had no interest in becoming a singer, and claims that as she became an adult it "just kind of happened".[2] She also notes that she`s never taken vocal lessons to better her singing.[3] In her twenties, she began to take interest in metal, `80s, and dance music. Scabbia feels that many types of music have had an influence on her, although she feels they are difficult to categorize.[4]In 1991, Scabbia began professionally singing as a touring musician for other bands and providing backing vocals.[6] Later that year she met the male vocalist Andrea Ferro and bass player Marco Coti Zelati of Lacuna Coil in Milan`s Midnight club.[7][8] At the time, the band was named Ethereal, and Scabbia was first employed only as a session singer. She was employed to record backup vocals for the choruses of songs on their demo tape, but the band members liked the way the male and female vocals sounded together, and asked her to be a permanent member.[4] After several changes in the band`s line-up, the members were reduced to Ferro, Coti Zelati and Scabbia. The members recorded a two track demo in May 1996, and were soon signed by the German branch of Century Media, eventually joining with the American branch of the label. Once signed, the band changed their name to Lacuna Coil after learning that a Greek band signed to Century Media had already claimed the name Ethereal. Adding new band members, Lacuna Coil began to tour, releasing their album in 1997.[9]

[edit] Collaborations
Cristina Scabbia on the cover of Revolver magazine.
Cristina Scabbia on the cover of Revolver magazine.

Aside from providing vocals for Lacuna Coil, Scabbia has provided vocals with other musicians as duets, however, she has no plans to leave Lacuna Coil or perform strictly as a solo artist. Her most recent duet was recorded with Alter Bridge, called, Watch Over You, one of the band`s singles.[10] In 2004, she recorded "I`m That", a duet with Italian songwriter Franco Battiato,[8] and in 2005, she performed onstage with him in a concert in Milan which was shown on the DVD Un soffio al cuore di natura elettrica. In 2006, Scabbia`s vocals appeared on the single "Can You Hear Me", as a part of Rezophonic`s collaboration album project to benefit the African Medical and Research Foundation.[8] She again collaborated with Rezophonic in 2006 when she appeared in the music videos for "L`uomo Di Plastica" and "Spasimo" with her Lacuna Coil bandmates. In 2007, Scabbia recorded a new version of Megadeth`s "À Tout le Monde (Set Me Free)" for their album United Abominations. The song was a duet with Dave Mustaine and released as the album`s first single with a video that also featured Scabbia.[11] She also provided vocals for Apocalyptica`s "S.O.S. (Anything But Love)" which was featured on their album Worlds Collide. She`s one of the most popular female singers in rock and metal nowaday, creating her own personal style of vocals and image, being a role model for new generations.[12]